ISO 13073-2:2013

Overview

ISO 13073-2:2013 - Ships and marine technology - Risk assessment on anti-fouling systems on ships - Part 2 - specifies a marine environmental risk assessment method for anti-fouling systems that intentionally use biocidally active substances. The standard provides a structured, quantitative approach to evaluate environmental exposure and risk during a ship’s service life (and can be adapted for freshwater). It does not prescribe specific toxicity test methods, usage bans, or efficacy-testing procedures.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and exclusions
  • Applies to anti-fouling systems on ships using biocidally active substances.
  • Excludes application/removal stages, ballast-water treatment systems, fishing gear/aquaculture equipment, and R&D test panels.
• Integration with ISO 13073-1
  • Requires prior hazard/risk review of each biocidal substance according to ISO 13073-1. Only systems with substances characterized as “low risk” or “relatively low risk” are generally suitable; substances of “high concern” require special handling.
• Four-component assessment structure
  • Review of biocidally active substance risk (per ISO 13073-1)
  • Exposure assessment: prepare emission scenarios and determine predicted environmental concentration (PEC)
  • Hazard representation: select an appropriate predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC)
  • Risk characterization: calculate the PEC/PNEC ratio as the quantitative risk index
• Exposure and emission scenario guidance
  • Prepare ship- and environment-specific emission scenarios to estimate release to the marine environment; special attention for freshwater adaptations.
• Risk management outcomes
  • Risk categorization supports decisions on use restrictions, mitigation measures, monitoring, or conditional approvals rather than automatic prohibition.
• Reporting
  • Annex A lists minimum information required for a risk assessment report; documentation remains applicant property.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 13073-2:2013 is intended for:

• Regulatory bodies and national authorities developing approval frameworks for anti-fouling systems
• Shipowners and shipyards assessing environmental compliance of coatings
• Anti-fouling paint and biocide manufacturers preparing environmental risk dossiers
• Environmental consultants performing PEC/PNEC-based assessments
• Classification societies, port authorities, and industry third parties implementing self-regulation or approval schemes

Practical uses include product environmental assessment for market authorization, informing mitigation/monitoring measures, and harmonizing national approval systems with international conventions such as the IMO AFS Convention.

Related standards and keywords

• Normative reference: ISO 13073-1:2012 (biocidally active substance assessment)
• Relevant keywords: ISO 13073-2:2013, anti-fouling systems, biocidally active substances, marine environmental risk assessment, PEC/PNEC, ships, marine environment protection, exposure assessment, emission scenario, risk characterization.